The step-by-step details within the guide are grouped by the following topics:

In addition, the guide provides resources on the technology options and other tools for federal site managers.

Although the guide focuses on solar projects, energy efficiency is equally important for reducing both site energy costs and the environmental impacts of using non-renewable methods of energy production.

Background

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Solar Energy Technologies Program, in collaboration with the Federal Energy Management Program and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, released Procuring Solar Energy: A Guide for Federal Facility Decision Makers in October 2010.

Procuring Solar Energy: A Guide for Federal Facility Decision Makers targets federal site managers, site contractors, and procurement specialists. The goal is to help them navigate the process towards a successful solar installation by providing step-by-step information, case studies, and additional resources.

Solar energy plays a significant role in the federal government's strategy for renewable and efficient energy. Because solar systems produce energy on site, they involve unique issues and processes. They include connecting the solar system to both an electrical system and building, understanding procurement options, and finding the most cost-effective solutions. This guide concentrates on distributed solar generation and does not consider large, centralized solar energy generation.

Procuring Solar Energy: A Guide for Federal Decision Makers was released in conjunction with a U.S. Department of Energy announcement of plans to install solar on the White House. The guide is designed to assist federal agencies with the procurement of solar energy and help users plan and execute with step-by-step instructions and real-life examples.